K-State signs contract with Kabul University to strengthen higher education in Afghanistan

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Source: Kenneth M. Holland, 785-532-5990

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

K-STATE SIGNS CONTRACT WITH KABUL UNIVERSITY TO STRENGTHEN HIGHER EDUCATION IN AFGHANISTAN

MANHATTAN -- Representatives from Kansas State University and Kabul University in Afghanistan have signed two three-year contracts worth $5.5 million to improve the College of Engineering and the department of English at Kabul University. Funds are provided by the World Bank.

"The signing of these agreements marked an historic moment in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Kabul University, following more than 25 years of war in Afghanistan," said Kenneth M. Holland, associate provost for international programs at K-State.

The agreement was signed April 25 in Kabul, by the acting chancellor of Kabul University, Abdulhay Nazifi. He stressed how the project would help return Kabul University to its previous international reputation as one of the best institutions of higher education in South and Central Asia.

The minister of higher education, Mohammad Azam Dadfar, said, "The partnership between Kabul University and Kansas State University is offering hope to thousands of young people in Afghanistan seeking a high-qualitycollege education."

Two deputy higher education ministers, a six-member K-State delegation, representatives of the World Bank and faculty and staff of Kabul University also attended.

Abdul Hai Sofizada, World Bank adviser to the Minister of Higher Education, moderated the morning's events. "The partnership between Kabul University and K-State is the most extensive of all the partnerships currently funded under the Strengthening Higher Education Project and is the model for future such relationships," he said.

Yar Ebadi, dean of K-State's College of Business Administration, concluded the formal remarks, thanking the faculty, staff and students at Kabul University, his alma mater, for helping make this "path-breaking academic partnership" possible.

The event was covered by seven Afghan TV networks and several newspapers.